1 00:00:25,88 --> 00:00:31,26 I like to welcome both Francis what I was new Phil and Velasquez they will be 2 00:00:31,27 --> 00:00:35,71 correspondents off in Bridget assigned to help cover some of the events and 3 00:00:35,72 --> 00:00:39,04 happenings in our community and Francis how are you 4 00:00:39,05 --> 00:00:45,06 a better example of writing but what I like about I like that this is made for 5 00:00:45,07 --> 00:00:50,83 television France is you have an intensive background in journalism tell me more 6 00:00:50,84 --> 00:00:51,79 about you well I'm 7 00:00:51,80 --> 00:00:57,56 a connector Rican can I don't reckon Puerto Rican from Connecticut by way of oh by 8 00:00:57,57 --> 00:01:02,11 way of real bad. I can see that was going from just. 9 00:01:05,26 --> 00:01:10,23 Internal jokes anyway so yeah my background is in journalism and I spent the first 10 00:01:10,24 --> 00:01:15,32 half of my career working for several newspapers in Connecticut as well as working 11 00:01:15,33 --> 00:01:19,21 at Telemundo So for me you know being 12 00:01:19,22 --> 00:01:22,93 a part of the community covering you know telling stories it's 13 00:01:22,97 --> 00:01:28,57 a huge passion of mine and you know I just want to say you know if I can to our 14 00:01:28,58 --> 00:01:35,35 viewers that whether you are you identify as Hispanic Latino or if you like to date 15 00:01:35,36 --> 00:01:36,81 Latinas you have 16 00:01:36,82 --> 00:01:41,93 a home here Adam but ever oh they love tales for that matter. Yes you call 17 00:01:41,94 --> 00:01:46,28 opportunity here and there you go that's what we're like well I can't wait to hear 18 00:01:46,29 --> 00:01:49,34 some stories or see some stories from new facts I know there's 19 00:01:49,35 --> 00:01:53,45 a lot to tell yet so thank you and only I love Tell me 20 00:01:53,46 --> 00:01:57,41 a little bit about you and welcome Well I am also I'm a misery can 21 00:01:57,68 --> 00:02:02,05 a Missouri recant a misery Kenya for in Espanol OK so that's 22 00:02:02,06 --> 00:02:06,01 a Puerto Rican from Missouri Yes born and raised Saint Louis is my home town grew 23 00:02:06,02 --> 00:02:10,54 up here so how do you deal with rice and beans and toast that reveal these you 24 00:02:10,55 --> 00:02:12,47 combine them both like tossed on us and tossed 25 00:02:12,48 --> 00:02:16,04 a ravioli Astellas that isn't just this ravioli that I like I'm going to try to 26 00:02:16,77 --> 00:02:20,79 write my life well of this thing that you. So tell me 27 00:02:20,80 --> 00:02:23,85 a little bit about you so right now I'm the director of communications at the 28 00:02:23,86 --> 00:02:24,37 A.C.L.U. 29 00:02:24,38 --> 00:02:28,44 Of Missouri that's the American Civil Liberties Union and our mission is to defend 30 00:02:28,45 --> 00:02:31,85 the Constitution and before that I worked as 31 00:02:31,86 --> 00:02:37,25 a reporter both in Oregon and in Tallahassee in Tampa Florida so the common thread 32 00:02:37,26 --> 00:02:42,25 is really my passion is telling stories and helping people understand what's 33 00:02:42,26 --> 00:02:45,44 happening in the world and trying to do my little part to make the world 34 00:02:45,45 --> 00:02:47,47 a better place and I think that we've got 35 00:02:47,48 --> 00:02:51,96 a lot of stories that we're going to be hearing to our audience about the Latino 36 00:02:51,97 --> 00:02:55,95 community and how much we all are contributing to make 37 00:02:56,71 --> 00:03:01,33 a better place for everyone right exactly and I'm very excited to be able to do 38 00:03:01,34 --> 00:03:05,47 this and be here well I'm looking forward to see some of your stories as well so 39 00:03:05,51 --> 00:03:11,19 thank you for being here we're going to be right back with Jorge Leo better after 40 00:03:11,20 --> 00:03:12,31 this short break. 41 00:03:38,08 --> 00:03:38,32 There's 42 00:03:38,33 --> 00:03:43,48 a shelter pet who wants to meet you meet one today this is the shelter pet project 43 00:03:43,49 --> 00:03:50,25 dot org adopt. Welcome 44 00:03:50,26 --> 00:03:55,26 back recently with this it it with Jorge to reopen that or who is the president of 45 00:03:55,27 --> 00:04:00,64 Costa this allude And in case you're not familiar Custer is located in the 46 00:04:00,65 --> 00:04:07,56 intersection of comfort and and Shoto here in St Louis provides health 47 00:04:07,60 --> 00:04:12,40 services to our new American communities and also serves as 48 00:04:12,44 --> 00:04:18,02 a cultural bridge for migrants seeking to assimilate and become members of our 49 00:04:18,03 --> 00:04:24,92 community Jorge and I discuss the issues now faced by refugees and why it 50 00:04:24,93 --> 00:04:31,33 is necessary for our communities to embrace and welcome immigrants to St Louis 51 00:04:31,95 --> 00:04:35,40 Let's take a look welcome to em but I have 52 00:04:35,41 --> 00:04:38,75 a and I'm so happy that you're here today without talking 53 00:04:39,01 --> 00:04:45,81 a little bit about. You. Will get we'll brief history of course of the 54 00:04:45,82 --> 00:04:51,45 salute and why is it so important to have services such as the ones that cast 55 00:04:51,46 --> 00:04:56,30 a salute for your cause has alluded to we're in our eighth year now we are 56 00:04:56,31 --> 00:04:59,59 providing health care for anyone who's uninsured although with 57 00:04:59,60 --> 00:05:04,76 a focus on immigrants and refugees we provide basic health care at the clinic at 58 00:05:04,77 --> 00:05:06,25 Hotel in Compton and then 59 00:05:06,29 --> 00:05:10,94 a group of case managers works with people who need care for the specialty care to 60 00:05:10,95 --> 00:05:15,52 connect them to that it's incredibly important because as we all know immigrants 61 00:05:15,53 --> 00:05:16,52 and refugees make up 62 00:05:16,53 --> 00:05:23,44 a vital part of any thriving metropolis they are good for the economy they're good 63 00:05:23,45 --> 00:05:28,16 for the vibrancy and diversity of the region so if we're if we want to be 64 00:05:28,32 --> 00:05:31,95 a great St Louis that immigrants are refugees are essential and if we want 65 00:05:31,96 --> 00:05:34,67 immigrants and refugees to come and stay in St Louis we have to give them health 66 00:05:34,68 --> 00:05:39,02 care and that is so important to you you're getting ready to expand or at least 67 00:05:39,03 --> 00:05:43,65 that's the plan I certainly hope so we recognize that there is an enormous need for 68 00:05:43,66 --> 00:05:47,76 mental health services for immigrants refugees so many of them have experienced 69 00:05:47,83 --> 00:05:51,92 trauma and violence on their journey. He's to the United States which unfortunately 70 00:05:51,93 --> 00:05:56,11 results of behavioral health problems and so we're trying very hard now to expand 71 00:05:56,12 --> 00:05:59,95 our services into the adjacent building to where we are right now so that we can 72 00:05:59,96 --> 00:06:03,61 specifically offer with our partners offer mental health services for these 73 00:06:03,62 --> 00:06:09,17 immigrants and refugees that is so compelling How are you dealing with the current 74 00:06:09,34 --> 00:06:14,48 situation with immigration and the new administration you know we're just we 75 00:06:14,49 --> 00:06:18,18 provide health care we're not politicians so what we're doing is we are telling the 76 00:06:18,19 --> 00:06:21,52 communities that we are serving we remain here for you we remain 77 00:06:21,56 --> 00:06:26,74 a trusted and safe location where you can come to and get the services you need 78 00:06:27,27 --> 00:06:32,95 what will shake out politically I don't think that anyone really knows what's going 79 00:06:32,96 --> 00:06:38,59 to happen so right now we are simply trying to make sure that we know what our 80 00:06:38,60 --> 00:06:42,32 rights are what the rights of our patients are so that we can comply with the law 81 00:06:42,36 --> 00:06:46,29 but also defend the rights of our patients and besides that we're just providing 82 00:06:46,30 --> 00:06:52,36 health care what's the biggest misconception that you think the non Hispanic a new 83 00:06:52,37 --> 00:06:58,16 a new American communities have about you know those particular communities the 84 00:06:58,17 --> 00:07:00,23 Hispanics on the new American I think without 85 00:07:00,24 --> 00:07:03,57 a doubt from or from when I talk to people who are who are not well versed in these 86 00:07:03,58 --> 00:07:08,35 in this issues is the idea that immigrants refugees are takers that's the way that 87 00:07:08,36 --> 00:07:14,16 they're takers and that is so far from the truth as to be incredible right in fact 88 00:07:14,22 --> 00:07:16,29 today and just using Germany's it as 89 00:07:16,30 --> 00:07:21,09 a quick example Germany which is had this huge influx of immigrants forty four 90 00:07:21,10 --> 00:07:25,26 percent of all new businesses being started in Germany are by immigrants so think 91 00:07:25,27 --> 00:07:29,75 about that in this country where we have such more more dynamic of an economy where 92 00:07:29,76 --> 00:07:33,32 we can really give people an opportunity to start their own businesses to really 93 00:07:33,33 --> 00:07:33,63 make 94 00:07:34,10 --> 00:07:38,39 a great economic contribution that's what immigrants and refugees do they are the 95 00:07:38,74 --> 00:07:42,77 they are for the farthest thing from takers that you can imagine and have you seen 96 00:07:42,78 --> 00:07:49,28 here in St Louis some examples that you can give us about the dynamic the guy now. 97 00:07:49,31 --> 00:07:53,81 Make structure of the new American community what they're doing as an drippin or 98 00:07:53,82 --> 00:07:57,97 something Well absolutely and just look down south grand looking Cherokee look at 99 00:07:57,98 --> 00:08:02,90 Overland look at the businesses that have started up that are that are really 100 00:08:02,91 --> 00:08:07,74 providing vitality in the same way the Bosnians did when they came to St Louis and 101 00:08:07,75 --> 00:08:12,71 resettled as as refugees that that process continues the problem with St Louis is 102 00:08:12,72 --> 00:08:17,98 that we are not allowing that process to person progress fast enough look at 103 00:08:18,60 --> 00:08:22,86 Nashville Tennessee three hundred fifty percent growth in Hispanic population and 104 00:08:22,87 --> 00:08:26,64 look how it has blossomed economically we're doing the same things that Louis but 105 00:08:26,65 --> 00:08:31,27 a very sort of much smaller rate and we need to get get on our horse here and 106 00:08:31,28 --> 00:08:35,75 really make it more welcoming for his for immigrants or refugees to come visit and 107 00:08:35,76 --> 00:08:38,10 talking about whores you are 108 00:08:38,14 --> 00:08:42,50 a member of the new American alliance right so tell us 109 00:08:42,51 --> 00:08:46,26 a little bit about what that particular going to station is all about so the new 110 00:08:46,27 --> 00:08:47,63 American alliance I want to make clear is not 111 00:08:47,64 --> 00:08:51,40 a new organizations an umbrella because we don't need yet another nonprofit 112 00:08:51,41 --> 00:08:56,08 organization so it's the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce the Asian Chamber of Commerce 113 00:08:56,09 --> 00:08:59,86 the Mosaic Project and the International Institute all together saying we're not 114 00:08:59,87 --> 00:09:03,28 just going to serve Hispanics or Asians or what have you we're going to work 115 00:09:03,29 --> 00:09:08,91 together to pool our resources and pool our our our abilities and say we're going 116 00:09:08,92 --> 00:09:12,24 to be here for immigrants and refugees of any of this city of any color of any 117 00:09:12,25 --> 00:09:17,14 religion and so we're working together to try and do the best we can to when an 118 00:09:17,15 --> 00:09:17,60 immigrant or 119 00:09:17,61 --> 00:09:20,80 a refugee need services that we need to say where you can go get health care if 120 00:09:20,81 --> 00:09:23,48 that's absolute we're going to say together we're going to tell you you can go get 121 00:09:23,49 --> 00:09:27,46 job training at the International Institute you can get health care at Casa you can 122 00:09:27,72 --> 00:09:28,15 get 123 00:09:28,77 --> 00:09:32,52 a resume building over at the Asian Chamber of Commerce we're really working hard 124 00:09:32,53 --> 00:09:38,54 to be welcoming to all of the refugees that are coming in to some of those I mean 125 00:09:38,55 --> 00:09:43,94 that's still happening. So it's still happening but because of the issues and 126 00:09:44,77 --> 00:09:47,32 actions taken at the federal level that number has 127 00:09:47,33 --> 00:09:53,15 a has been drastically reduced. What that number is going to be we're not sure it 128 00:09:53,16 --> 00:09:53,49 depends 129 00:09:53,50 --> 00:09:59,13 a lot of what shakes out the next few weeks of the federal. Legislation and bills 130 00:09:59,14 --> 00:10:02,44 and executive orders that are being tossed around we're going to play 131 00:10:02,45 --> 00:10:06,13 a waiting game to see about that but in the meantime you're preparing yourself for 132 00:10:06,69 --> 00:10:12,35 future growth we have many with the expansion and you're doing several events and 133 00:10:12,36 --> 00:10:16,75 things like Tell me about what you're doing we are we deal with because if we 134 00:10:16,76 --> 00:10:21,67 position if we just go well we give up that's not taking us anywhere and then of 135 00:10:21,68 --> 00:10:27,41 course on May the six It is our Again I'm Festival our so called local. It's our 136 00:10:27,42 --> 00:10:29,85 game where we transform a ball room into 137 00:10:29,86 --> 00:10:36,34 a Latin town square OK with musicians and artists and performers and food are all 138 00:10:36,35 --> 00:10:40,02 being thrown together in just a tremendous celebration and then we have 139 00:10:40,03 --> 00:10:43,71 a formal sit down dinner where we give awards to people who have really been 140 00:10:43,88 --> 00:10:48,09 instrumental for helping immigrants or refugees with health here in Salem So as I 141 00:10:48,10 --> 00:10:50,55 remember going to go and I had 142 00:10:50,56 --> 00:10:56,00 a great great time there the food is excellent the party is on and there are the 143 00:10:56,01 --> 00:11:01,09 years and then when you start some use. And if somebody and I know that we're going 144 00:11:01,10 --> 00:11:04,00 to have that information but if somebody wants to contribute they want to be 145 00:11:04,01 --> 00:11:08,64 a volunteer is that easy to do yes I go to the what go to the website that you can 146 00:11:08,65 --> 00:11:11,94 get all the information there. That S.T.L. 147 00:11:12,17 --> 00:11:16,46 Dot org And that will take you to everywhere you want to go Well listen good luck 148 00:11:16,60 --> 00:11:22,40 congratulations I probably have to do some solace of dancing so go low go drink 149 00:11:22,41 --> 00:11:28,54 some German beer everybody. Does really appreciate you being here today 150 00:11:29,16 --> 00:11:34,46 and good luck our correspondent Francis more on this new film recently visited with 151 00:11:34,68 --> 00:11:41,19 Sicilian. Productions to talk about the importance of Hong Kong. 152 00:11:42,21 --> 00:11:46,17 For many people frustrated by the White House's recent executive orders on 153 00:11:46,18 --> 00:11:49,72 immigration and the Muslim ban demonstrations. Become 154 00:11:49,76 --> 00:11:53,03 a weekly thing to do these days we could all use 155 00:11:53,04 --> 00:11:59,96 a hug. I think it just goes to show you how divisive. 156 00:12:01,19 --> 00:12:07,27 The Trump presidency has been so far yes. It is very scary but things like this 157 00:12:07,28 --> 00:12:08,38 feel positive and 158 00:12:08,39 --> 00:12:15,51 a way to. Manifest. All that fear into something positive. So 159 00:12:15,52 --> 00:12:19,59 to offer comfort in a dull of heat on a productions recently organized 160 00:12:19,63 --> 00:12:24,46 a Hugs rally and handed out more than seven hundred hugs on South Grand Boulevard. 161 00:12:26,06 --> 00:12:26,36 Tell me 162 00:12:26,37 --> 00:12:31,50 a little bit about this hug and rally well Huckins have been going on since two 163 00:12:31,51 --> 00:12:37,46 thousand and four all over the world in Shanghai in Europe in twelve to fifteen 164 00:12:37,47 --> 00:12:41,42 cities in the United States and basically each huggin has 165 00:12:41,43 --> 00:12:45,75 a different slant most of the work that's been done has been just really acts of 166 00:12:45,76 --> 00:12:51,04 kindness where people go out and spontaneously hug someone else just to say I care 167 00:12:51,05 --> 00:12:53,69 about you because you're part of our community and this is 168 00:12:53,70 --> 00:12:58,87 a simple message of engaging our community which is diverse and what we love so we 169 00:12:58,88 --> 00:13:04,03 just want to spread love and not be. So how do you counteract the negative with the 170 00:13:04,04 --> 00:13:10,51 possible impact. This is prayer with that's the 171 00:13:10,52 --> 00:13:14,10 L.T.V. Yes. Well 172 00:13:14,11 --> 00:13:18,22 a lot of hugging going on in France's embrace tell me 173 00:13:18,33 --> 00:13:23,23 a little bit about what your take away from your interview with Cecilia Well you 174 00:13:23,24 --> 00:13:24,86 know Cecilia told me that 175 00:13:24,90 --> 00:13:29,87 a lot of people are afraid about the racial profiling especially in this political 176 00:13:29,88 --> 00:13:35,74 climate and this comes right after the new administration President Trump has said 177 00:13:35,75 --> 00:13:40,78 that he wants to use the National Guard to round up undocumented immigrants and 178 00:13:40,79 --> 00:13:46,31 belittle Now imagine the level of anxiety that people have especially about the 179 00:13:46,35 --> 00:13:51,97 uncertainty of their futures and where this country is going but what I find so 180 00:13:51,98 --> 00:13:58,57 fascinating is that people like Cecilia are really using collective action to 181 00:13:58,61 --> 00:14:04,04 counteract the negative with the positive very good and they're using love and hugs 182 00:14:04,36 --> 00:14:09,11 so I could really use one right now OK Come on let me give you 183 00:14:09,12 --> 00:14:14,86 a hug me the feel good thank you so much for that great interview and I know that 184 00:14:14,87 --> 00:14:20,69 we got more coming from you so once again thank you for staying with us right here 185 00:14:20,70 --> 00:14:21,73 and turning into 186 00:14:21,77 --> 00:14:27,29 a member of it and we will see you on the next one at that up look the man.